The Dawei mega industrial project in Myanmar could boost Thailand's economy by 1.9 percent and upgrade it from labour-intensive to value-added, according to the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia.

As it strives to become Asia's next economic star Myanmar has set its sights on overhauling its battered and distrusted banking system, a move which could pave the way for foreign lenders to open branches.

Economic integration among states in South and South West Asia offers a huge potential for sustainable development in the region, said a report of the U.N. Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) launched in Bangladesh capital, Dhaka, yesterday.

Myanmar's new foreign investment bill was with parliament on Thursday, seeking amendments to address concerns of foreign firms eager to enter the country, and it could be quickly approved and sent to the president to be signed into law, lawmakers said.